On the morning of April 3 (local time), at the Armenian Parliament House, Speaker Alen Simonyan hosted an official welcome ceremony for Chairman Tran Thanh Man and a high-level delegation from the Vietnamese National Assembly on their official visit to Armenia.

Immediately following the ceremony, the two legislative leaders held bilateral talks.

Speaker Alen Simonyan warmly welcomed Chairman Tran Thanh Man, his spouse, and the Vietnamese delegation, expressing his honor at receiving them and recalling fond memories from his own official visit to Vietnam in November 2024 - particularly his positive impressions of the country and its people.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man expressed his pleasure in leading the Vietnamese delegation on an official visit to the beautiful and hospitable nation of Armenia. He thanked Speaker Simonyan, Armenian leaders, parliamentarians, and the people of Armenia for the warm and respectful reception extended to him and his entourage.

He also recalled the significance of President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Armenia in July 1959, stating that his current visit - alongside Speaker Simonyan’s visit to Vietnam in November 2024 - would provide new momentum to deepen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and their peoples.

Congratulating Armenia on its political stability, economic development, and growing international presence, Chairman Tran Thanh Man shared key achievements from Vietnam's 2024 socio-economic development and major strategic directions for 2025 as the country aims to enter a new era of prosperity.

He affirmed that Vietnam greatly values its long-standing traditional friendship with Armenia and appreciates the support Armenia has given to Vietnam during its struggles for independence and national development. He called on both sides to continue nurturing this bond and expand bilateral cooperation through all channels, including party, state, government, parliament, and people-to-people exchanges.

To enhance parliamentary ties, Chairman Tran Thanh Man announced that the Vietnamese National Assembly has established a Vietnam-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group. He expressed confidence that, together with the Armenia-Vietnam Friendship Group, the initiative would promote new forms of exchange and deepen cooperation between the two legislatures.

Speaker Simonyan expressed strong agreement with Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s remarks, emphasizing that Armenia regards Vietnam not only as a friend but also as a key economic and trade partner in Southeast Asia.

He also announced that Armenia will host the 2026 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP17) and extended an invitation for Vietnam to send a high-level delegation to the event.

Both leaders agreed that Vietnam-Armenia relations have made positive progress and recognized the great potential for further collaboration across various fields - for the benefit of both peoples and for regional and global peace and development.

They emphasized the need to enhance delegation exchanges at all levels - particularly high-level visits - to build political trust and lay the groundwork for broader cooperation.

The signing of a cooperation agreement between the two parliaments during this visit was praised by both sides as a legal framework for strengthening inter-parliamentary relations. The two leaders agreed to promote more high-level exchanges, collaboration between legislative bodies, parliamentary friendship groups, youth and women’s caucuses, and parliamentary deputies from both countries.

They also committed to enhancing information exchange and experience sharing between parliamentary committees, especially in legislation and oversight. Emphasis was placed on monitoring and implementing bilateral and multilateral agreements - especially those related to economic and trade cooperation.

The two speakers reviewed economic and trade cooperation, which has shown positive growth since the Vietnam-EAEU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect in 2016. Bilateral trade in 2024 reached nearly USD 500 million, though both sides agreed it remains unsustainable.

To further enhance economic ties, Chairman Tran Thanh Man proposed that Armenia support Vietnamese businesses in accessing its domestic and EAEU markets. He suggested leveraging the FTA mechanism and increasing the exchange of market and policy information. He also recommended creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese and Armenian companies to participate in trade and investment promotion events, specialized fairs, and international exhibitions.

Additionally, he called for joint efforts to address investment challenges and for the prompt exchange of goods lists to help diversify and strengthen bilateral trade in sectors of mutual strength and demand.

Both leaders agreed that there is significant untapped potential for cooperation in culture, tourism, education, transport, local partnerships, and people-to-people exchange. They committed to expanding local-level collaboration to maximize these opportunities.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man also urged Armenia to support cultural exchange programs that promote the historical and cultural values of both nations. He proposed establishing an Armenia–Vietnam Friendship Association to deepen public diplomacy and youth engagement.

On international and regional forums, the two speakers pledged to maintain close coordination and mutual support, contributing actively and responsibly to regional and global peace and stability.

As a member of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Chairman Tran Thanh Man confirmed that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to help Armenia expand cooperation with ASEAN, AIPA, and its member parliaments.

He also called on both sides to continue coordination in regional forums and to support ASEAN’s and Vietnam’s position on the East Sea - resolving disputes peacefully and based on international law, the UN Charter, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Following the talks, the two leaders signed a Vietnam–Armenia inter-parliamentary cooperation agreement.

TTXVN